If it seems as though each week brings news of yet another takeover offer for a UK firm, the actual figures from the ONS (Office for National Statistics) are quite mind-boggling.Aside from the number of listed companies being bought, either by 'inward' investors or domestic buyers, hundreds of privately-owned firms are being snapped up every quarter.If you are in a position where a company you own

Personal thresholds to rise from 2028Capital gains and carried interest tax to riseEmployers' NI bill to rise significantlyIn terms of lowering expectations among the business community, the Labour party did a good job heading into today's autumn statement by letting slip potentially negative information such as the intention to raise employers' NI (National Insurance) contributions and a hike in

Revenue fall smaller than fearedHealthy rise in year-end order bookCompany eyes return to growth in 2025Housebuilder Bellway (BWY) suffered a 30% slump in housing completions during the year to 31 July 2024, one marred by more expensive mortgages, property market softness as well as significant build-cost inflation.Yet shares in the Newcastle-headquartered builder bounced 3% higher to £27.32 as i

Markets in Europe showed signs of recovery on Wednesday at around midday, with investors pleased that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell kept hopes of a rate cut for this year alive.Speaking in Congress, Powell told lawmakers on the Senate Banking Committee that the most recent readings 'have shown some modest further progress' since the first quarter of the year.Investors are now looking ahead t

Barratt sees profit above estimatesInvestors focus on outlook insteadNew Bellway offer for Crest NicholsonStock prices usually rise when a company raises its earnings guidance, but in the case of housebuilder Barratt Developments (BDEV) the market looked straight past the upgrade to focus on the outlook and didn't particularly like what it saw in terms of home completions.The shares fell 13p or 2.

Stocks in London were marginally higher on Friday morning, as election campaigns in the UK and France continue, with Reform UK overtaking the Conservatives in the UK in a major opinion poll.The FTSE 100 index opened up 2.07 points at 8,165.74. The FTSE 250 was up 7.97 points at 20,203.92, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.63 of a point, 0.1%, at 781.06.The Cboe UK 100 was up marginally at 812.48, the

Stocks in Europe ended Thursday lower, struggling for headway after a hawkish hold by the Federal Reserve, but US tech shares were on the up.The FTSE 100 index closed down 51.81 points, 0.6%, at 8,163.67. The FTSE 250 fell 301.45 points, 1.5%, at 20,195.95, and the AIM All-Share fell 6.93 points, 0.9%, at 780.43.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.9% at 812.42, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 1.6% at 17,682.

Adjusted operating profit of £6.2 million for first halfMartyn Clark will take over as CEO on 14 JuneDividend slashed to 1p per shareShares in Crest Nicholson (CRST) were down over 8% to 221p in morning trading as the housebuilder warned on profit. Other housebuilding shares fell, albeit more modestly, in sympathy.It reported an adjusted operating profit of £6.2 million for the six months ending

Stocks in Europe fell around Thursday midday, after the US Federal Reserve backpedalled from previous predictions.The FTSE 100 index was down 40.98 points, 0.5%, at 8,174.50. The FTSE 250 was down 146.28 points, 0.7%, at 20,351.12, and the AIM All-Share was down 1.59 points, 0.2%, at 785.77.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.7% at 814.10, the Cboe UK 250 was down 1.1% at 17,782.64, and the Cboe Small Comp

Stock prices in London were mixed on Thursday morning, with strong earnings from FTSE 100's Halma after the US Federal Reserve announced guidance of just one interest rate cut by the end of the year.The FTSE 100 index opened down 4.18 points, 0.1%, at 8,211.30. The FTSE 250 was down 52.37 points, 0.3%, at 20,445.03, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.90 of a point, 0.1%, at 788.26.The Cboe UK 100 was

Stock prices in London fell at midday on Tuesday, as investors nervously looked ahead to interest interest rate decisions from the US Federal Reserve and Bank of England.Amongst individual stocks, Unilever was boosted by cost saving plans. Oil prices also gave BP and Shell a boost.The FTSE 100 index was down 20.42 points, 0.3%, at 7,702.13. The FTSE 250 was down 76.27 points, 0.4%, at 19,410.26, a

Builder prides itself on qualityInitial costs of up to £15 millionShares erase their 2024 gainsAs they prepared to get together over tea and biscuits at the firm?s AGM (annual general meeting) in leafy Surrey, investors in housebuilder Crest Nicholson (CRST) received the unwelcome news the firm had decided to take a large remediation charge for build defects.The shares dropped 10% to 202p, erasin

Stocks in London opened in the red on Tuesday morning, after the Bank of Japan decided to end its negative interest rate policy.Amongst individual stocks, Unilever jumped after it announced job cuts, as well as the split off of its ice cream division.The FTSE 100 index opened down 1.42 points at 7,721.13. The FTSE 250 was down 12.40 points, 0.1%, at 19,474.13, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.13 o

Deal creates UK?s biggest housebuilderBarratt paying a 27% premium on paperBoth firms report improving sentimentThe housebuilding sector received a major confidence boost with the news Barratt Developments (BDEV) had agreed to acquire smaller rival Redrow (RDW) to create the UK?s largest quoted developer.Redrow shares jumped 13% to 678p, followed by Crest Nicholson (CRST), possibly the most-touted

Prices are turning positive againLower mortgage rates helpingActivity seen picking up this yearHousebuilders and housing-related stocks got a lift going into the Bank of England?s monetary policy meeting thanks to a positive read on the property market from the latest Nationwide house price survey.Shares in Barratt Developments (BDEV), Crest Nicholson (CRST), Persimmon (PSN), Redrow (RDW), Rightmo

2023 sales and earnings down sharply2024 order book just over half-coveredBuyer confidence seen recoveringResidential developer Crest Nicholson (CRST) posted a significant drop in 2023 earnings due to a weak sales market but said house-buyer confidence had ?gradually returned? last year due to falling mortgage rates, leaving the shares trading sideways at 205p at lunchtime. The FTSE 250 fir

Shares have fallen 21% over the past yearFull year 2023 pre-tax profit now expected to be £41 millionOne-off charge of £13 million related to legal claimShares in Crest Nicholson (CRST) were down over 4% to 207p as the housebuilder issued a profit warning because of higher costs and a one-off charge from a legal claim.The group now expects a full-year pre-tax profit of £41 million for the year

London?s FTSE 100 extended its win streak to three days on Wednesday, on the back of more favourable inflation data, this time from the UK, possibly bringing forward the tantalising prospect of interest rate cuts.Gains for stocks in London were largely broad-based. Interest rate sensitive sectors such as housebuilding property investment shone. Banks, whose net interest margins were once the benef

As headlines go, last week's Nationwide house price report showing prices down at their fastest annual rate since 2009 takes some beating even if a decline was more or less expected by experts.The building society's August survey showed the average house price was 0.8% lower than the previous month and 5.3% lower than August 2022 at £259,153, marking an annual fall of around £14,600 on the price

Stocks in London closed on the backfoot on Monday, as housebuilding shares were hurt by less-than-stellar data from Rightmove and a guidance cut from Crest Nicholson.The FTSE 100 index closed down 4.61 points, or 0.1% at 7,257.82 on Monday. The FTSE 250 ended down 197.61 points, or 1.1%, at 17,898.99. The AIM All-Share closed down 2.42 points, or 0.3%, at 729.82.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.1% at